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I think that at the level where we are Angélique Kidjo, Oumou Sangaré, Rokia Traoré, Salif Keita… Artists who are in the world music, the public respects us very much, I think that Mali has acquired its letter of nobility at world level, earning a lot of Grammys for example. For the rest of the continent and the younger generation I would like to say that if we want this culture to continue to be respected there are important elements that we must preserve, like trying to sing in our language. Let's try not to do in gospel, black Americans already do it pretty well. Let's not try to be copies of others, let’s stay originals. Let's show the world our culture, you know with our Kora our Ngoni our balafon, we have always been respected, I think the trick is to stay authentic. One needs to see the African, like the African who plays a respectable music directly inspired by Its crucible. The improvement I think does not come from the rest of the world, because the world already respects us, it should rather come from us, by respecting ourselves, who we are. In any case this is what I think, it is perhaps to debate
In any case I agree with you. African wisdom says” it's harder to be someone else than to be yourself”.
We understand each other then.
Your country of origin Mali and your country of birth the Ivory Coast, have experienced dramatic events in recent years. As an artist do you think you have your say, to act in the restoration of Peace and in raising awareness among the masses?
Of course, we all have a great role to play, it's like in 2012 In Mali with the song Maliko a collective of artists gathered to raise awareness. To give a chance to peace. Mali was going to a story of genocide north vs south once again.
I went to Mali, I joined with all the other singers, Tiken Jah, Salif keita everybody ...and since there was no head of state the artists, were the voice of the state. We got up, and we told the people. Why would you kill your neighbor, because somebody you don’t know told you he's bad? If he was bad, you lived with him for centuries, why you did not realize it.
You're smart enough to think for yourself. Music was used with metaphor of little sentences to awaken people's consciousness, and it worked.
Music was used with metaphor of little sentences to awaken people's consciousness, and it worked. When I learned that people were going to attack shopkeepers of the north, in Bamako, accusing them, that it is because of them that we are in this situation, I said no it is not possible! We are smart enough to understand that, somebody want to play the pyromaniac firefighter against us. I stopped my tour and I went to Bamako, we sat together and talked. Now the situation is better, it’s tense but it’s stable. All the Tuaregs who left the north are in Bamako. We live together. People were told, what could bring you war, at a time when everyone tries to have a better life? So, everybody today in Mali is in the same reflection and it is better. from that point one can understand that music in Mali is powerful enough, to positively influence the masses.
We cannot never state enough, that African culture is very rich but it tends to sell badly, in your opinion the fault is due to whom? Lack of political will of the African decision makers, or to the artists who have trouble to better Organize, to better enjoy their art?
No, it is the fault of nobody, again, it is up to us to better, work our music. Those who do it well, sell good as well. Toumani behaves very well on the markets, myself with my Album Fatou, it was correct. Many Nigerian singers sell very well, Wizboy and others. They have a public that consumes their music, it is perhaps a different audience but they sell very well. African youths buy their albums. Very good things happen, really positive things. I have the impression that this generation, has understood that we must not feel guilty and assume to be African. A lot